Many witnesses to drug-related overdoses do not call 911 for fear of criminal punishment for drug use or possession. The 911 Good Samaritan law helps to eliminate some of the fear when calling 911 for help during an overdose. This new law provides limited immunity from drug possession charges when a drug-related overdose victim or a witness to an overdose seeks medical assistance.

The law does not protect people from prosecution for other offenses, including drug trafficking charges. This policy would not protect those with outstanding warrants, and would not interfere with law enforcement protocols to secure the scene of an overdose.